Once you have logged into QMplus and turned editing on: 1. Add an activity, select OU Blog

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1 A Guide to the OU Blog The OU Blog offers an activity that allows everyone in a course to post to the same blog, groups of people to share a blog, or individuals to keep a personal blog. Step 1: Setting Up an OU Blog There are many variations when setting up an OU Blog that affect how and if students can post, view and comment on a blog, how to do this shall be explained below. Once you have logged into QMplus and turned editing on: 1. Add an activity, select OU Blog 2. The first section to complete is General. The three highlighted settings will affect the function of the blog the most and as such are discussed below.

2 a. Allow comments (if chosen for post) This setting offers three different options (as shown). Yes, from logged-in users allows any users logged into QMplus and able to see the module to comment on blog posts. Yes, from everybody (even if not logged in) permits anyone who is able to see the module and OU Blog to comment on posts, regardless if they are logged into QMplus. Comments not allowed disables comments for the entire blog. b. Individual Blogs This setting offers three different options (as shown) concerning visibility. However, these mainly apply to student users as Course Leaders are able to view all posts regardless of the setting chosen here. No (blog together or in groups) enables student users to see all posts. Separate individual blogs restricts student users to view their own post. Visible individual blogs student users can view participants posts individually or view all posts together. c. Maximum Visibility This setting offers three different options (as shown) concerning visibility. Visible to participants on this course only enrolled users can view the OU blog. Visible to everyone who is logged into the system any user logged into QMplus who can access the module can view the OU blog. Visible to anyone in the world anyone who has access to QMplus and the module can view the OU Blog.

3 3. The next setting to consider is the Group Mode found under Common Module Settings. This setting also offers three settings concerning visibility. No groups blog posts not arranged in groups. Separate groups requires students to be placed into groups to be effective. Blog posts are displayed in groups, student users can then only view and post in blogs within a group that they belong to. However, Course Leaders can see and post in all groups. Note: in order to enable this mode Allow comments must not be set to Yes, everybody Visible groups requires students to be placed into groups to be effective. Blog posts are displayed in groups; student users can then choose any groups blog to view (as long as Individual Blogs is set to Visible individual blogs ). Student users can still only post in blogs within a group that they belong to. However, Course Leaders can see and post in all groups. Note: in order to enable this mode Allow comments must not be set to Yes, everybody 4. Lastly, complete the Grade and Restricted Access sections, which function the same as a standard assignment. 5. Once all sections are complete save the OU Blog.

4 Step 2: Posting to an OU Blog 1. View the OU Blog on the module page, click on the Blog. 2. To add a blog post simply click New Blog Post. 3. Complete the Title and blog Message. You can also choose to add tags and allow comments from logged in users or disallow comments (comments must be allowed initially to permit this). An attached file can be added if allowed in the initial set-up. When finished click Add Blog Post.

5 4. To choose a group to post in (if groups are enabled) select the drop down menu at the top, here you will see all groups within the course. Clicking on a group will immediately display all posts within that group. To view all posts again, select All Participants in the drop down menu. 5. To view your post, return to the OU Blog page (although this will automatically happen when you save a blog post). Step 3: Searching Tags Course Leaders are able to search for tags from all blog posts however; student users are restricted to search within posts that they can view. 1. View the OU Blog on the module page, click on the Blog. 2. All tags that have been created and are available to search are displayed in the Tags block to the right-hand side. The tags have a number displayed next to them to indicate how many times this tag has been used. To search for a tag click on the tag you wish to see posts for, the posts that include this tag will then be shown. To return to the main blog page click back/return in your browser.

6 Step 4: Commenting on a Post Course Leaders can post comments on all blogs where comments are enabled. Student users are restricted to comment on posts that they can view/in a group they belong to. Students can view comments on any posts they have access to view. 1. View the OU Blog on the module page, click on the Blog. 2. On the post you wish to comment on, select Add you comment 3. This will open a new page where you can enter your comment. When finished click Add Comment.

7 4. A new page will then open displaying the blog post and the new comment. 5. To return to the module page or blog post, either click back/return in your browser or click the module code (1) or blog name (2) in the breadcrumb trail After a comment has been made on a post instead of showing Add Comment the number of comments will be shown, in this case it is 2 comments. By clicking on the number of comments, you can view all comments made as well as add a new comment.

8 Step 5: Grading an OU Blog Post OU Blogs can be graded and given feedback on in Gradebook as standard with most activities. Yet, there is also an alternative method of grading within the OU Blog. Both methods are explained below. OU Blog 1. View the OU Blog on the module page, click on the Blog. 2. Select Participation by User 3. To add a grade, select from the drop down menu next to each user. When finished click Save Grades. These grades are also saved/changed in Gradebook. Gradebook 1. On the left-hand side of the module page, go to the settings block and under Course Administration select Grades

9 2. Make sure editing is turned on, if it is not select Turn editing on 3. From the drop down menu at the top under View select either Grader Report (uses students names and s) or Marking Report (uses students user names and student numbers). In the first two columns, you will see the students information; the following columns display the module s assignments and the students grades. 4. Select the pencil and paper icon next to the grade you wish to edit.

10 5. You can now enter a final grade and comments in the feedback box at the bottom. When finished, select Save Changes. When back in either Grader Report or Marking Report, at the bottom select Update. Note: Whether grading an assignment in Gradebook or OU Blog, the grade will be linked so that if you change it in one it will also automatically change in the other.